This crew is just beginning to put the front truck together, though temporarily only. Next on will be the top longitudinal bars so the corner hole locations can be reamed for alignment with the holes in the cross ties that go across the assembly. Then we can apply the brake beams, locate the holes for the brake hanger brackets, and then do some more hole drilling. The main bolster cannot be placed yet, because it would interfere with the insertion of the gear shaft, which is not yet complete. See why some mechanical crews preferred Shays?

Photo by Rick Brigger.